How important is a balanced diet in the prevention of acne.
This article highlights the significance of the different vitamins in diet to avoid the occurrence of acne.
It gives the sources of vitamins found in food and the right doses to be taken in a day.
Are you tired of using ointments and medicines, which are ineffective for treating your acne?
If you are looking for natural methods of treatment of acne scars, here is a detailed treatment of the various home remedies you can use for the treatment of acne scars.
Various myths abound regarding acne. For myths surrounding acne this article is an in-depth study.
It dispels these myths with the actual truth behind these myths.
Diet in Acne
A proper diet can disrupt the development and dispersion of acne vulgaris at various levels. Dietary components that support normal growth and maintenance strengthen the skin against the elements that cause acne. Antioxidants in the diet protect the skin from everyday insults and do not allow bacteria to get a foothold. Certain foods even have antibacterial properties that help fight established Propionobacterium and enhance the effect of oral antibiotic therapy. Knowledge of correct dietary practices synergizes with pharmacological therapy, allowing complete resolution of acne without scar formation.
The body needs complete nutrition to promote healthy skin and to prevent acne. There are a number of vitamins and minerals that are powerful antioxidants capable of flushing out free radicals and toxins from the body. Some even have antibacterial effects and promote immunity. Both these properties are important to keep the pores clean of clogging toxins and to heal the damaged skin tissue. Vitamins work together with minerals and other nutrients. So it is necessary to get them in balance.
Vitamin A with carotenoids strengthens the protective tissue of the skin and prevents acne formation by reducing sebum production. The vitamin B group, comprising of Thiamine, Riboflavin, Niacin, Pantothenic acid, Pyridoxine and Cyanocobalamin, has a very specific role in the dietary management of acne.
Thiamine acts as an antioxidant, enhances circulation and ensures the proper digestion of food. Riboflavin and Niacin are essential vitamins for healthy skin, hairs and nails. Deficiency of these two vitamins in the diet may actually cause acne. Pantothenic acid helps reduce stress, which is an indirect risk factor for the development of acne. This acid also supports optimal adrenal gland function. Pyridoxine or Vitamin B6 is crucial for immune mechanisms and antibody production. Propionobacterium flourishes in diets deficient in pyridoxine, thus resulting in acne.
Vitamin C and bio-flavonoids are another set of antioxidants required by roughly 300 metabolic functions in the body, including the immune system. Bioflavanoids also have an antibacterial effect. The recommended dose for an acne diet is 1000 mg, 3 times a day. This dose may need some modification for diabetic patients with acne. Vitamin E is an additional antioxidant that enhances healing and tissue repair, preventing acne scars.1
Zinc, a trace mineral, comes highly recommended for acne diets. It prevents acne by regulating the activity of the oil glands. Zinc deficiency messes up sebum production, predisposing us to acne. The dietary intake of zinc needs to be finely balanced since both excess and the absence of zinc can suppress immunity. In a study published by Dr. Williams, zinc was found to be as effective as oral antibiotics to treat acne vulgaris.2
Selenium keeps the skin elastic and boosts the action of other antioxidants. An adequate amount of magnesium, which is a stabilizer of hormone levels, is also essential for the dietary management of acne.
Although vitamins in the diet are important to treat acne, It is important to eat plenty of nutritious food such as shellfish, nuts, poultry and lean meat for zinc, and fresh fruits and vegetables for vitamin C. Foods that must be cut down on include chocolate, sweets, highly salted snacks and added sugar.
